Ruhija Gorilla Trekking

Ruhija gorilla trekking experiences take place from the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Ruhija is one of the good sectors for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The trails are not so steep and easy to trek through. This sector harbors the second highest population of gorillas in Bwindi after Rushaga. Ruhija gorilla trekking takes place from the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and stands out to be one of the most preferred in terms of location, trekking difficulty, and gorilla families.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest protects half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Gorillas are one of the humans closest relatives, sharing over 98% DNA. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is not only home to mountain gorillas but also 350 species of birds, 120 species of mammals, 27 species of frogs, 220 species of butterflies, 104 species of ferns, 1000 species of plants and 163 species of trees.

These are divided among the four sectors which include Ruhija sector, Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, and Nkuringo sector. All these have different gorilla groups that can be trekked daily. Ruhija is the coldest sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Tourists visiting this sector for gorilla trekking should carry good hiking boots, raincoats, warm clothing, insect repellents, energy snacks and many other things needed onto their gorilla trekking packing list.

Ruhija gorilla trekking, Nkuringo gorilla trekking, Buhoma gorilla trekking, and Rushaga gorilla trekking are all different experiences. Buhoma is the oldest sector and is where gorilla trekking started from. Ruhija has one of the best trails, Rushaga has breathtaking views of the hills, mountains, and forests whereas Nkuringo lets you trek while seeing part of Congo. Some of the gorilla families that are available for gorilla trekking in Ruhija can be seen below.

Bitukura gorilla family

The Bitukura gorilla family was habituated in 2007 and opened up for tourists to visit in 2008. The family derives its name from river Bitukura where they were first sighted. This group, in particular, took a very short period of 15 months for habituation, unlike other gorilla families that take about two years before they are open for gorilla trekking. Bitukura gorilla family is dominated by Ndahura the silverback. He is surprisingly the youngest silverback in the family which is unusual because it’s always the oldest silverback that takes over leadership of a group. This family had 24 members at the time of habituation but currently has only 13 members with 4 silverbacks, 2 juveniles, 4 females and 3 infants.

Kyaguriro A gorilla family

Kyaguriro gorilla family is the oldest habituated gorilla family in Ruhija sector of Bwindi. It was first habituated in 1995. The family was dominated by Zeus who was banished to exile by Rukina, a silverback who was struck by lightning in 2015. He was succeeded by a young silverback Mukiza who led the group until 2016 when it split into two groups forming Kyaguriro A and Kyaguriro B. Kyaguriro A is now currently led by Rukara.

Kyaguriro B gorilla family

Kyaguriro B gorilla family was at first dominated by Mukiza after splitting of the Kyaguriro family. There was a fight from a foreign silverback called Rukara from the Bitukura family. The family is being used for research and study purposes in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It could be open for trekking some time in the future when the research process ends.

Oruzogo gorilla family

The Oruzogo gorilla family was opened up for trekking in 2011. It comprises of 23 members dominated by Tibirikwata, the silverback. It is one of the most entertaining groups in Ruhija sector, well known for being very playful and active. Oruzogo gorilla family derives its name from a local word for a plant called “Oruzogoto”, which is found within the group’s home range. In 2012 Kaboke one of the females in the group gave birth to a set of twins. This group is blessed and very fun to track. You should inform us to book your gorilla permit for Ruhija Sector so that you stand a chance to track it.